AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a teenager died and another was seriously injured when the car they were in collided with a taxi.

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a teenager died and another was seriously injured when the car they were in collided with a taxi.

Merseyside police last night confirmed officers had been following the Ford Focus but said they lost sight of it shortly before the collision.

It is understood the car reached speeds of 90mph before it collided with a black Hackney taxi on Liverpool Road, Knowsley, just after midnight on Sunday.

The dark blue car, which was carrying 2001 licence plates and has not been reported stolen, was being driven the wrong way up the Huyton bound carriageway with its headlights turned off. Witnesses reported the vehicle flipped onto its roof, after it hit a black Hackney taxi opposite the junction with Linkholme Road.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to free two 19-year-old men from inside the car. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and his passenger was taken to Whiston hospital with multiple injuries. He was last night described as in a serious but stable condition.

Both teenagers are under-stood to be from the Huyton area. A 24-year-old woman, also thought to be a passenger in the Ford Focus, suffered minor injuries and was kept in Whiston hospital for observation.

It is unclear whether she was thrown from the vehicle or managed to climb out after the crash.

The taxi driver also had to be freed from his cab by firefighters and was taken to Whiston hospital with minor injuries.

Last night, a spokeswoman confirmed the IPCC had decided not to launch an external probe but will supervise the Merseyside investigation.

An ambulance spokeswoman said: "Eye witnesses reported a car on its roof on the Huytonbound carriageway with a person trapped underneath.

"There was one person dead inside the vehicle who was taken to the mortuary at Whiston hospital. A man who was also trapped inside the car was taken to Whiston hospital with multiple injuries.

"A third person was thrown from the vehicle and also taken to Whiston but their injuries were not serious.

"There was also a taxi driver involved and he was taken to Whiston with minor injuries.

"We sent six vehicles in total. The first arrived at 12.01am and the last vehicle left the scene at 1.24am."

Two fire crews and a special fire rescue team also spent around an hour at the scene.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside police said: "The IPCC is to supervise the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal road traffic collision which occurred on Liverpool Road Knowsley just after midnight on Sunday.

"Officers were following the Ford Focus but lost sight of it just before the collision on Liverpool Road.

"Merseyside police referred the incident to the IPCC and they have decided to supervise the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash."

Police are appealing for information. Witnesses are asked to call the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

A 35-YEAR-OLD motorcyclist was killed after losing control of his machine in Wirral yesterday afternoon.

The accident happened in Willaston Road, close to the junction with Raby Mere Road, at 2.40pm.

Police said the motorcyclist, who has not been named, collided with a kerb and was thrown into the road.

He died at the scene from his injuries. Merseyside Police have asked witnesses to contact them on 0151 777 5730.

Liverpool soldier dies in motorway smash > > >>

Liverpool soldier dies in motorway smash>

A 17-YEAR-OLD serving soldier from Liverpool died from his injuries after apparently losing control of his car.

Police say the teenager and his 18-year-old passenger were travelling west from the London direction towards Wales on the M4 when the Renault 5 car hit a side barrier, at 6.20am on Saturday.

The 17-year-old, who has not been named, was taken to Swindon's Great Western Hospital, where he died yesterday afternoon. His passenger suffered minor injuries.

The soldier's family travelled from Liverpool to be at his bedside after the accident.

The westbound carriageway of the motorway was closed for five hours after the crash. Wiltshire Police have launched a witness appeal. Last night, PC Nick Cooke said: "It is not yet clear exactly what happened but we are investigating. There were no other vehicles involved."

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Anyone with information is asked to contact Wiltshire police on 01793 528111.